Does Louisiana Allow Transfer on Death Deeds?

Louisiana does not authorize transfer on death deeds. 3 alternatives are available to transfer real property at death without probate.

Why TOD deeds aren't available in Louisiana

Louisiana's civil-law system does not recognize TOD deeds for real property. Under La. C.C. Art. 1570, a disposition mortis causa may be made only in the form of a testament authorized by law, which excludes non-testamentary instruments like TOD deeds.

Louisiana's civil-law heritage and forced-heirship rules make TOD deeds incompatible with the state's property transfer framework. La. C.C. Art. 1570 limits mortis causa dispositions to authorized testament forms. The only Louisiana TOD-style statute is the Uniform Transfer on Death Security Registration Act, La. R.S. 9:1711 et seq. (Act 167 of 2021), which applies only to movable securities and expressly excludes any "share, participation, or other interest in immovable property." Louisiana also recognizes TOD designations on motor-vehicle certificates of title, but that is a vehicle-titling mechanism, not a real-property deed. SimplyTrust's TOD deed product is gated to TOD-eligible states; LA is correctly excluded.

Alternatives for Louisiana

These mechanisms transfer real property at death without probate in Louisiana:

Consult a licensed attorney for help choosing the right mechanism for your situation.

Frequently asked questions

Louisiana's civil-law system does not recognize TOD deeds for real property. Under La. C.C. Art. 1570, a disposition mortis causa may be made only in the form of a testament authorized by law, which excludes non-testamentary instruments like TOD deeds.

Louisiana recognizes 3 alternatives for transferring real property outside of probate: Revocable living trust (inter vivos trust); Donation inter vivos with reservation of usufruct (naked-ownership donation); Joint ownership / ownership in indivision.

No. Real property transfers are governed by the state where the property is located. A TOD deed signed under another state's law has no effect on real property in Louisiana.